A document shows that Michigan blocked Flint from switching back to Detroit's water system

The top Democrat in the Michigan House is the first state lawmaker to call for Republican Gov. Rick Snyder’s resignation over Flint’s lead-contaminated water crisis.

House Minority Leader Tim Greimel (GREYE-muhl) said Wednesday that Snyder should step down because of “actions of negligence and indifference, and a culture he has created that lacks transparency and accountability.”

The city, which switched its water source in 2014 while under state financial management, is under a state of emergency. Lead from aging pipes leached into drinking water, and a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak potentially linked to the Flint River caused nine deaths.

The Flint River is seen flowing thru downtown in Flint, Michigan. Photo: Reuters/Rebecca Cook.

A spokesman for Snyder could not immediately be reached. The governor, who has apologized, has refused to resign and says he is committed to fixing the problem.

Also, a document shows that Michigan blocked Flint from switching back to Detroit’s water system under the terms of a $7 million loan.